Knockdown box or crate



Jan. 25, 1949. L, R, RAPP 2,460,104,

KNOCKDOWN BOX OR CRATE Filed Oct. v25. 1945 LE N R RAPID knockdown boxes Patented Jan. 25, 1949 UNITED STATES :PATENT *OFFflCE 2,460,104 KNQCKDOWN BOKORCRATE Leon R. Rapp, Carpenterville, N. J. Application(Zictober 25, 1945, "Serial No. 624,411

5 Claims. (!.21'7-42) 1 This invention relates to an improvement .in

or crates, andmore particularly to that type of container which may be assembled without employing fastening means, such as nails or screws, and the like.

The invention consists of two .angle-iron-end frames in whichare mounted the'bottom, sides and ends of the container, and which latter are so positioned within the frames and held together in the frames withoutfastening means to provide a rigid and sturdy container,

The invention consists of certain novel features of'construction andcombinations "of parts which will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective viewofan assembled box or crate;

Figure 2 is a horizontal vertical sectional'view, and illustrating the manner of assembling the end members for securing the bottom and sides to the end frames;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the metal end frames; v

Figure 4 is a detail view in elevation ofone of the side members;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective of a bottom member.

This invention is primarily adapted to the construction of boxes or crates for holding bottles but may be employed for other purposes, and rectangular shape, although it will be recognized that other shaped containers could be made.

The box or crate has two rectangular metal end frames iii, 16 L-shaped in cross-section, consisting of an inwardly extending flange portion H, and an outwardly extending flange portion l2. The angle iron frames 50 are preferably arranged in a one-piece structure by having the ends of the flange l2 welded together, and the flanges ll welded together at the corners of the frame, so that a rigid construction is provided. The flange i2 is provided at its free end edge with an inturned rib or lip Is.

The bottom Hi of the box or crate is preferably made up of a plurality of wood slats l5, Figure 6, although it may be formed of a single piece of wood. The slats are provided on their under surface and adjacent each end with grooves or slots it, for the reception of the lips or ribs l3 of the flange it, Figure 2, and the ends of the botthe flange H. Mounted upon The ends of. the side member 1 sembled the ends the bottom LM are side'members 1e,=wnich:sre provided with'grooves or slits IS on the-outer surfaceandnear the ends andacross the upper edge thereof for the "reception of the ribs 13. i8 engaging the flanges H. Thebottom l4 and side members '88 are "asin the angle iron-frames 4Q, bycausing thereof to engagethe flange portionsrll and bearing'against the flangeportions li2an'd thegrooves of the respective members. The. end :members zfl are of a size tohave a snug fit between the sides i8,

and betweenthe bottom' I lizand one of the-flanges 42 of the frames iii. Theendmembers are in- .sertedbetween the-side members is and inclined sufficiently to cause the upper edgesor ends thereof to be first inserted into the frame members l6, betWeen-theflange ii andrib i3 ofthe flange 12, and then forcingthe lower portions ofthe end members into engagement with the flange H. This movement of the end members into-the frame members causes the sides 58 andbottom i l .to be securely connected to the end'frames l0 and the frictional engagement between these members insures them against. removal or the collapsing of the box during ordinary usage.

However, if it is desired to collapse the box the end members 20 can be forced inwardly at their lower ends until they can be disengaged from the end frames and ribs l3, whereupon the end members may be removed and the sides and bottom disengaged from the end frames.

The flange portions Il may be provided with holes 22 for the reception of nails or screws for securing the ends to the end frames, but such means of fastening would ordinarily be employed due to shrinkage, warpage or some injury to the end members, as under usual conditions of usage the box or crate will have all of the necessary rigidity and security when assembled as above set forth.

' With the end frames 10 made of a single-piece unit and the flange portion l2 provided with ribs or lips l3 along each of the four edges the bottom and sides are interlocked with the end frames, and insuring the box or crate remaining in assembled relation after the end members 20 are inserted into the frame members and between the sides and bottom.

What I claim is:

1. A box or crate comprising bottom, side and end walls, and one-piece metal end frames, ribs extending inwardly from the walls of said end frames, said bottom and sides being provided with side walls to said end frames.

2. A box or crate comprising bottom, side and end walls, and rectangular metal end frames, ribs extending inwardly from the walls of said end frames, said bottom and sides being provided with slots along one surface and adjacent the ends thereof, said bottom and sides having the ends thereof received in said end frames and said ribs of said end frames received in said slots for connecting the bottom and sides to said end frames, said end Walls disposed between said sides, each of said end walls having an end thereof inserted in a respective end frame in rear of said rib of said end frames, and said end walls then forced into its said respective end frame for securing the side and bottom walls to said end frames.

3. A box or crate comprisin bottom, side and end walls, and one piece rectangular metal end frames, said end frames consisting of inwardly and outwardly extending flange portions, ribs on said outwardly extending flange portion extending inwardly therefrom and substantially parallel to said inwardly extending portions, said bottom and engaging the inwardly extending portions thereof and said ribs of said outwardly extending portions entering said slots of said bottom and side walls, each of said end Walls disposed between said side walls and on said bottom wall and inserted in its respective end frame with an end thereof disposed between one of said ribs and one of said inwardly extending portions of said end frames.

4. A knockdown box or crate comprising bottom, side and end walls, and two endless metal end frames each consisting of unitary outwardly said end frames, said bottom and sides being provided with slots for the reception of said rib of said end frames, for connecting the end frames together, walls being disposed between said sides and on end walls inserted in end frame with an end said rib and inwardly extending flange of said end frames for securing the end frames, bottom and sides together.

5. A box or crate comprising bottom, side and end walls, and two endless angle iron metal end frames, each consisting of outwardly and inwardly extending flanges, a rib on said outwardly extending flange extending inwardly therefrom and sides to said end frames.

LEON R. RAPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

